To secure a victory against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to do so without backup running backs Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly announced on October 4 that both players would miss the game against their long-time NFC rivals. This information was echoed by various local and national NFL reporters almost simultaneously.
Warren has been struggling with a knee injury since the end of the Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers and did not play against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4. Patterson, on the other hand, left the Colts game due to an ankle injury.
With both players sidelined, Najee Harris and Aaron Shampklin are the only running backs from the Steelers’ active roster available for Week 5, as they prepare to host the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.
Although Harris remains the starting running back, the absence of both Warren and Patterson is a considerable setback for the team. Last season, Warren averaged 5.3 yards per carry and recorded 61 receptions, totaling 1,154 yards from scrimmage, just four yards less than the top wideout, George Pickens. The only Steelers player with more scrimmage yards than Warren last year was Harris.
Losing Patterson also affects the offense and special teams. In the first half against the Colts, Patterson replaced Warren and rushed for 43 yards on six carries, averaging 7.2 yards per attempt. He has also contributed as a kickoff returner this season.
With both players out, Harris will need to shoulder most of the responsibilities in the backfield, a role he is familiar with. During his rookie season three years ago, Harris played approximately 84% of the offensive snaps throughout the entire season, and he was on the field for every offensive play in two games during 2021. He may need to play a similar amount, or close to it, against the Cowboys.
The Steelers recently promoted Shampklin to their active roster on October 2, providing an additional running back option aside from Harris. However, Shampklin has only played one game in his NFL career, which was against the Colts on September 29, where he participated in 13 offensive snaps and recorded one carry for five yards.
Additionally, the Steelers have veteran running backs La’Mical Perine and Jonathan Ward on their practice squad, who could be elevated for Week 5.
Alex Highsmith to Miss Week 5
While the Steelers’ offense is facing a shortage in the backfield, their defense will also be missing its second-edge rusher. According to TribLive.com’s Joe Rutter, Alex Highsmith will not participate in Week 5, and tight end MyCole Pruitt will also be sidelined.
